Cochise County weighs change to inspection program

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — Cochise County officials are studying a proposal to
scale back the county’s building code inspection program by allowing licensed
contractors, architects and engineers to certify that certain types of work
meets requirements.

County building official Jack Holden says architects and engineers would be
responsible for certifying compliance for the plan review portion of projects,
while participating contractors would be responsible for meeting building codes.

According to the Sierra Vista Herald, the proposed
change wouldn’t eliminate inspections for health, utility, septic, right of way,
flood plain, setbacks, watershed or lighting code.

Holden says the idea generated by a county task force is to recognize the
expertise of licensed contractors while conserving the county’s resources.